The Honorable Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

The League of Women Voters is deeply concerned that the UN Summit Outcome Document has been diluted by the United States and some other countries in recent weeks. This is jeopardizing a historic effort to end global poverty, promote peace and strengthen the United Nations, and undermines efforts to address global problems. The United States is missing out on a unique opportunity to show the world what our values stand for in concrete terms. The U.S. should be a leader in support of freedom and democracy and in the fight to eliminate poverty, end war, promote gender equality, protect human rights, and support the United Nations.

At this crucial time in the world's need for security, peace and development, we urge that you embrace the larger vision of the UN to benefit all the people of the world. We ask you and all the UN member states to abandon narrow interests and to work with each other for real change, expressed in concrete terms in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. Please do not squander this important opportunity. We live at a time when the world faces many critical challenges that can only be resolved if all nations work together. We expect the United States government to play a constructive role in achieving this.